Veteran police officer Eirik Jensen was released from custody on Friday, months after he was arrested in February over accusations of gross corruption. The Bureau for the Investigation of Police Affairs (Spesialenheten for politisaker) confirmed Jensen was free to go, but said that did not change the basis or suspicion of his charges.
“There will not be any prolonged detention of him,” investigation leader Liv Øyen told newspaper VG. “He was released today. We have completed the investigative steps we believe were necessary with consideration to the destruction of evidence. It is no longer necessary to hold him in custody, therefore he is released. ”
The 56-year-old was arrested on February 24 in the garage of the Oslo police station in Grønland. It’s alleged Jensen had connections to a major narcotics bust made last year, and his controversial methods created conflict with some colleagues, including his boss Einar Aas. Jensen denied the corruption charges. His detention period was extended by the court several times.
The bureau said the investigation into Jensen’s case is expected to continue for several months.
